Tag Archives: Trade

By any other Name, Would Champagne Taste as Sweet?



Posted by ,

So what does it mean to be made in Mongolia? Or anywhere else for that matter? In Mongolia the protection of Geographical indications is governed by the Law on Trademark and Geographical Indication which has taken effective on July 25th, 2010. Under the law, “geographical indication” refers to any geographical indication of a product’s manufacturing country, area and territory where quality, reputation and other characteristics are defined by factors relating to the nature of the territory, climate condition or local practice.

Forms of geographical indication are expressed in single geographical names of territory that determine the origin of the goods and products, or a combination of the name of the goods and products with a territory. However, general names for goods and products of a territory within Mongolia are not considered as geographical indicators. Moreover, geographical indications are tools for protection of local industry by creating the suggestion that similar goods produced in other geographic regions will not have the same characteristics or quality. Champagne is only champagne, if it is from Champagne, France, otherwise it is sparkling wine.

Under Mongolian law, a community, association or organization of unified manufacturers of goods and products of a local region apply for geographical indication protection in writing as specified in regulation set by the Intellectual Property Office. The Intellectual Property Office examines the application within six months of filing the application. This term may be extended up to six months if required. If the Intellectual property office decides to register a geographical indication, that geographical indication shall be entered in the State register and a Certificate of Geographical Indication shall be issued. The protection of geographical indication is not limited for definite periods and is valid from the filing date of the application.

Mongolia has several traditional products that originate from its nomadic culture and its extremely continental climate. There are over 20 products which have been protected by geographical indications in Mongolia, for example dairy products, meat products, pure water and sea buckthorn. A few years ago, Champagne, the famous French drink received protected in Mongolia as a geographical indication. Accordingly, Champagne is protected against misrepresentation or infringement. This demonstrates that foreign geographical indications can be duly protected in Mongolia.

Free Trade Ties Between Mongolia and China Growing



Posted by , , ,

In May this year, China’s Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng led an economic and trade delegation from the PRC in a visit to Mongolia. The delegation met with Mongolian Prime Minister Saikhanbileg to discuss facilitation of trade between Mongolia and China. During the meeting of the China-Mongolia Economic and Trade Joint Committee, the two sides reached broad consensus as to several areas of cooperation.

At the meeting, Minister Gao indicated that China would like to actively promote cooperation, accelerate the establishment of a China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor, and promote the construction of free trade zone with cross-border economic cooperation zones, and generally promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

The Mongolian side noted that Mongolia attaches great importance to relations with China, and regards China as a good neighbor, good friend and reliable partner. Mongolia will strengthen cooperation with China is several areas, including to accelerate the establishment of a free trade zone, and promoting cooperation in the development of mineral resources, energy and animal husbandry. Mongolia and China will work to facilitate trade.

The parties expect the construction of a Free trade zone between Zamiin Uud and Ereen hot (aka Erlian) to be completed by the end of this year, 2016. The Free trade zone will cover almost 18 sq.m on Mongolian and Chinese border. About 50 business entities from China and Mongolia will operate in the zone. According to the bilateral agreement on establishing cross-border economic cooperation zone, Mongolian and Chinese export and import taxes will be zero within the zone.

Mongolia and Japan Enter Economic Partnership



Posted by , ,

On 8th of May 2016, Governments of Mongolia and Japan exchanged a diplomatic note verbale on implementation of the Mongolia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Accordingly, the agreement entered into force starting from 7th of June 2016.

The agreement seeks to increase trade of goods and services, encourage investment and people-to-people relations between the two countries. It is also an important part of Mongolia’s efforts at strengthening its own regional economic integration. The agreement enables Mongolia to attract investment and adopt know-how from Japan, export its goods and services to Japan and to third markets and to further link itself with regional economies and production chains.

The agreement covers liberalization of 5700 tariff lines from Mongolian side and 9300 tariff lines from Japanese, enabling Mongolian businessmen to supply goods originating from Mongolia to Japanese market ate preferential tariff rates.

The annual monetary circulation in trade between Mongolia and Japan is generally between USD 300 million to USD 500 million, which is equal to 3-4 percent of the entire international trade of Mongolia. The parties expect this number to grow due to the positive effects of the new EPA agreement.

Mongolia’s Economy is Global: Trades with 136 countries



Posted by , ,

The National Statistics Office of Mongolia has recently released a report detailing Mongolia’s vital trade statistics. The report indicates that Mongolia has traded, either exported to or imported from, 136 separate countries over the first seven months of 2016. The total turnover from trade during this period is over 4 billion USD.

Exports are said to comprise USD 2.54 billion during the period while imports are at 1.83 billion. The total turnover from trade appears to have decreased by 12% (USD 647.4 million), compared to the same period last year. That amounts to a 17% (376.2 million) reduction in imports and 9.6% (271.2 million) reduction in exports.

Overall, the balance of trade surplus at this point in 2016 stands at USD 709 million, and increase of USD 105 million over 2015.

We are looking for the trend in decreased overall trade to be reversed as Oyu Tolgoi’s underground gold and copper mining operation ramps up.